Supermen of action: The 2001-2 Tribune All-State boys basketball first team

Bob SakamotoTribune staff reporter

Chris Head was trying to conjure up an image that would best define Springfield Lanphier's Andre Iguodala and Richard McBride.

"Batman and Robin," said Head, who had some scary moments watching that Downstate duo launch an amazing comeback before falling to his Westinghouse team in last week's Class AA championship game. "They are two terrific basketball players.

"They complemented one another perfectly. If one was off, the other guy took over. It's hard to stop both of them at the same time. If you double-team either one, the other guy will kill you."

When it comes to action heroes, the 2002 Tribune All-State boys basketball team is a marvelous collection.

You might as well put Sean Dockery in a cape with a big "S" on his chest. The 6-foot-3-inch guard was practically a one-man show for Public League semifinalist Julian, averaging 28 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and six steals. Some of his explosive fourth quarters, when the Duke signee would seemingly score at will, are now a part of Public League basketball lore.

"People don't realize what Sean had to go through this year in carrying our team," said Julian coach Loren Jackson. "He had to run the team as a point guard, be our primary scorer and guard the other team's best player. Really, Sean is at his best when he can handle the ball and set up everyone else. He is so unselfish, and he always looks to make his teammates better.

"For everything that he has done for us this year, if Sean isn't Mr. Basketball, then I don't know who is. There's absolutely no doubt he is the best player in the state."

Farragut's 6-6, 225-pound Elliott Poole was an incredible hulk this season, never succumbing to the physical toll he took from double- and triple-team defenses inside.

Hobbled by lower back spasms and a hip injury in his last two games, Poole responded with a combined 62 points and 31 rebounds in the city semifinal against Julian and the title-game loss to Westinghouse.

"There's no question Elliott is one of the top players in the state and in the country," Dockery said. "He is unstoppable once he gets the ball down low. He deserved to be chosen for the McDonald's All-American Game, and when he didn't get picked, I know it motivated him.

"Elliott wanted to show everyone that McDonald's made a big mistake."

Farragut coach William Nelson was an outspoken critic of Poole's treatment under the hoop.

"I guess because he is so big and strong, the referees let people push and shove and grab him," Nelson said. "We were playing a game in Minneapolis when he was tackled by two guys--and no whistle. I jumped up and down screaming and told those refs this wasn't Big Ten football.

"[Poole] has really learned to control his temper this season. I'm quite sure there were times when he wanted to reach out and break a guy in half. But he never lost his cool. When he got angry, he just played harder."

Poole, who averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds, had his own way of retaliating against the hackers.

"I would focus all my anger at the free-throw line," said Poole, who hit 26-of-29 free throws in the Public League semifinal and championship game. "That was my way of getting back at them, hitting all my free throws. If I started pushing back, it would only get me in foul trouble."

Call Dee Brown the Flash, because the Proviso East point guard was often just a blur, igniting the Pirates' fast break and pressing defenses.

"He is the fastest player I've ever seen dribbling a basketball," said Proviso East coach Troy Jackson. "All that blinding speed, and yet he stays in control for the most part. How do you guard someone like that? If you sag off, he'll hit the three-pointer. Take one step toward him and he's on his way to a layup or an assist."

In a game against Leyden, Brown hit 12 three-pointers in scoring 42 points. The future Illinois point guard, who is expected to replace Frank Williams next season, averaged 28 points, six assists and five steals.

"I just became fast," said Brown, who led Proviso East to the supersectionals, where the Pirates were stunned by New Trier. "When I was in 7th grade, I was blowing past everybody. Back then, I thought everyone else was just slow.

"Now I've learned to use my speed on defense as well. I feel I can guard anyone in the state."

Nobody bothered to guard McBride in the state championship game, not when the Lanphier junior was launching three-pointers 25 feet from the basket. He hit six from beyond the arc and almost single-handedly erased a 19-point Westinghouse lead in the second half. For the season, McBride averaged 18.5 points, seven rebounds and made 72-of-167 three-point attempts.

"He's just a great all-around player," said Westinghouse forward Darius Glover, a second-team All-Stater. "McBride reminds me a lot of Frank Williams the way he doesn't show any emotion but simply takes over a game."

After developing his game over the summer with the Illinois Warriors' AAU program, Iguodala blossomed into a high-impact player, averaging 24 points and eight rebounds. Arkansas signed him to a letter of intent last November, but he sought a release after the Razorbacks bought out coach Nolan Richardson's contract. Iguodala has been granted that request, according to the Arkansas sports information director. He is reportedly leaning toward Arizona.

"He is a complete player who can play all five positions," said Springfield Lanphier coach Craig Patton. "He is so good at getting the ball off the offensive board and creating in transition the way Darius Miles used to at East St. Louis. With those long arms at the head of our press, Andre deflects passes and usually gets three or four breakaway dunks a game.

"Sure, there are a lot of great players in the state, but Andre is the best."

FIRST TEAMSean Dockery, Julian6-3 senior guardThe numbers: Game-breaker athlete averaged 28 points, eight assists and six steals and took over games in the fourth quarter.College: Duke.The buzz: McDonald's All-American was rated with Dee Brown as the top players in the state. He could replace point guard Jason Williams with the Blue Devils next season.

Elliott Poole, Farragut6-6 senior centerThe numbers: Widely acknowledged as the top post player in the state, he averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds despite constant double- and triple-team defenses.College: Undecided.The buzz: Battling back and hip injuries, he had 62 points and 31 rebounds combined in the Public League semifinal and title game. In those final two games of his career, Poole made 26-of-29 free throws.

Richard McBride, Springfield Lanphier6-3 junior guard/forwardThe numbers: Posting up smaller players and dribbling past the taller ones, he was a matchup nightmare, averaging 18.5 points and seven rebounds.College: Undecided.The buzz: Rates with Proviso East's Shannon Brown as top juniors in the state. Ignited furious second-half rally with six three-pointers in 76-72 Class AA title game loss to Westinghouse.

Dee Brown, Proviso East6-0 senior guardThe numbers: Averaged 28 points, six assists and five steals and was equally dangerous penetrating or shooting the three-pointer.College: Illinois.The buzz: One of three players selected from Illinois to compete in the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game on April 4. Expected to replace departing point guard Frank Williams with the Illini.

Andre Iguodala, Springfield Lanphier6-6 senior forward.The numbers: Perhaps the most dominant player in the state, he averaged 24 points and eight rebounds in leading Lanphier to second place in the Class AA tournament.College: Arkansas has released him from his letter of intent. Reportedly considering Arizona.The buzz: Versatile performer can shoot the three-pointer, handles the ball like a guard and is a ferocious dunker. Could wind up at Kansas.